Chain turbine



' A. TETETLENI CHAIN TURBINE Filed Sept. :50, 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 22 1924;

1,481,397 A. TETETLENI' CHAIN TURBINE Filed Sept. 50. 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 A. TETE'TL ENI CHAIN TURBINE Filed sepi. so} 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Jan. 22,1924. 1,481,397

. A. TETETLENI CHAIN TURBINE Filed Sept. 30 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 A56 4 ma Patented .lan. 22, 1924.

ARM-IN 'rn'rn'rnnnror BUDAPEST,HUNGARY.

can-a TURBINE.

Application filed September 30, 1921. Serial No. 504,459.

To all iulzom it may concern:

Be it known that I,Z'ARMIN"TETF1TLENI, residing at JoZset-ter'IO, in the city of Budapest V., Hungarypand a citizen o'f 6 Hungary, have invented certain new 'and useful lu'lprovementsin' Chain Turbines, of which the followingis a specification. I

This invention is a structural arrangement by which the velocityof flowing fluids, such as water, air, etc, may be exploited with respect to power. a

The basic principle of the invention is the provision of turbine blades carried an endless chain orcha'ins, which blades,'in connection with 'co-operating guide members, aresupported in such manner that the spaces between the blades onboth parallel chain. sections are smaller at the outflow thanat the. inflow. I According to another execution of the invent-ion, the turbine is placed in the smallest crosssection of a channel, similar to a Venturi tube. I a

Finally, the invention extends to the I means for connecting floats to the hydraulic motor, whereby thelatter may be be elevated out of the water; to the means tor regulating and turning'off the turbine; and to the serviceable development of the chain guide.

The accompanying illustrations show various possible executions of .the'invention. Briefly described;

' Figure 1 is a horizontal cross-section of an action and re-action turbine;

Figure 2 is a diagram of the velocity ratios of the device of Fig. 1;

Figure 3 is a vertical section on the line VIV I of Fig. 1;

Figure 4 is a top plan view of achain turbine placed in a guide-channel which is narrowed toward the center; Q

Figure 5 is a view in side elevation of the device of Fig. 4c; I

Figure 6 is a view in front elevation of a submerged chain-turbine showing, more particularly, means in operative relation thereto for raising the turbine out of the water; a

Figure 7 is a view in front elevation of a turbine, showing, more-particularly;a revolving-shutter, and shutter-regulating means;

Figures 8 and 9 are views, 1n side elevation and top plan, respectively, of a device tail view of the form of ohain-guide' for turbines with vertical axes. Referring, now, in detail, totheolrawings, I I

The chain turbine showni i Figs. 1 to 3 is a turbine with a double flow'of water, the

first stage being a reactionand the second stage .an actionturbine. As .shown,p,the water flows toward the gllitlG-jblttClGQlO, as indicated by, the left hand arrow a'fpasses through-theguide blades, and, after leaving a the same, strikes the movable blades :11, which are shapedlike the blades'of reaction turbines. The blades move as shown inFig. 3, in a channel which is narrowed toward the middle 12, the ratio ofits' largest and smallest cross-section being the same as'that of the largest and smallest of the spaces 'between the blades. Passing outtrom between this row of movable blades, the water without the interposition of fotherfguide-blades) strikes the second row of movable blades. This second row of movable, blades, also moves in a channel of which the cross section increases in the aboveindicated ratio toward the edge lying in the direction of the downcurrent. As this increase just balances the decrease of the space betweenthe blades, the functioning of this row ofblades is equiva lent to the row of an action turbineor limit turbine. The velocity ratios otthese turbines are shown in Fig. 2. The water flowing in the direction of the'arrow '00 enters the guide-blades with the velocityc and passes out with the velocity 0 II" fronrthis'velocity 0 the translation velocity t tat the movable blade row be vectorially deducted from the movable blade. row, the relative ves locity w, of the water entering themovable blades will 'be obtained. Here'lthe velocity of the water will be increasedto .the relative velocity 10 the ratio of the latter to o, being (in consequence of the abovc n'ientioned narrowing of the cross-section of the. channel) the same as that of the. square of thespace between the blades at the entrance point to the squareof this space at the point' ii'exit.

If, to this velocity 10,, the velocity u be added by vector addition, the absolute velocity c of the water passing out will be obtained. As there is no second arrangement of guide-blades, the absolute velocity 0 of the water entering the second row of movable blades agrees perfectly with the c, of the rate and direction. From this, it is possible to obtain, by vectorial subtraction of the translation velocity u of the movable blades, the relative velocity to, of the water entering the second row of blades. Between these blades, which function in the manner of action-turbine blades and limit-turbine blades, only the water direction is changed, but not the relative velocity. Therefore, if the relative velocity 10 is plotted with unchanged, but in the direction of the exit tangent of the curve of the blade, we getthe relative velocity to, of the water leaving the turbine, and from this, by vector addition of the translation velocity u, the absolute velocity 0, of the water leaving the turbine. This latter velocity agrees with the absolute entrance velocity c with relation to rate and direction.

From this, it may be seen that, in this chain-turbine, the blades ofthe second row do not rotate at an angle of 180", but at a much smaller angle, which, under certain circumstances, may even be below This makes it necessary for the blades to rotate at a much greater angle than 180,-the angle may even be 270 when passing from the down-stream row to the up-stream row. This lack of symmetry in the blades angle of rotation may, according to the invention, be accomplished as follows: Instead of using one set of chains for guiding the blades, two sets are used, the length and number of links (also the total lengths of the chains) being exactly the same. These chains, as shown in Fig. 3, are arranged at different levels. The inner edges 11 of the blades are fastened by hinges to the chain 13, which passes around wheels 1 1, 15. The ears 16 of the blades, near the other or free edge, are loosely or pivotally connected by means of the rods 17 to the outer chain, which passes around the chain-wheels 19, 21). These wheels have a larger diameter than the wheels 14 and 15. It is understood that, be-

tween the chain-wheels let and 19, or 15 and 20, suitable gearing is inserted to ensure the same circumferential velocity for both sets of chains. Thus, the relative position of both of the centers of rotation of every blade remains unchanged as long as the chains are moving in a straight line; therefore, their movement through this section is translatory. Now, the inner set of chains and wheels is so placed that one of the smaller chain wheels is inside the chain wheel 20; the result of which is (as the length of the chain is the same) that the smaller of the chain-wheels projects beyond the larger adjacent chain-wheel. The result of this again is that, when the chains rotate, as indicated by the arrow 2, the circumference centers of wheel 20 are slower than of wheel 15, as

they traverse a longer distance at the same rate of speed. From this, it follows that, while traversing the distance from the left side of the figure to the right side of the same, the blades revolve around an angle that is smaller than 180. From the fact that the circumference velocities agree, it follows that the blades (while traversing the distance from the right side to the left side of the figure with the aid of the chainwheels 19 and 14) revolve around an angle which, combined with the one formerly mentioned, is 360. WVith regard to thesize of these angles, the limits at command may be of considerable extent, if a suitable selection is made of the distance between the centers of rotation of the blades, also of the angle embracing the straight line which is described by the blades with the blade brace. At this point, a casing is attached to protect the blades which are worked against the current.

According to the execution of the invention shown in Figs. 4 and 5, these turbines are placed in the narrowest cross-section of a channel shaped like a Venturi tube (or a similar tube-like arrangement). In the illustration, the chain-turbine itself is indicated by 30. The water is conducted to the chain turbine by the collector-tube 31, and leaves the same by means of the diffuser tube 32. The closed case indicated by 33 is the engine installed for the purpose of converting the energy generated by the turbine (dynamo, compressor, etc.) This arrangement makes it possible to make exploitable, by means of the turbine, a portion of the cross-section of the flow which is much greater than its own cross-section of passage.

The turbine of the invention may be used for all flowing water, for small brooks, as well as streams and rivers, for ocean currents and other flowing water. When used in small streams, the turbine may. in certain cases, be permanently installed, but so that it may be raised, after the manner of a sluice, by damming the stream. In this case, a raising device operated either by man power or by hydraulic or electrical means may be employed for the work of lifting it out of the water. The possibility of lifting out the turbine facilitates the cleaning of the same considerably, and also facilitates the execution of repairs that may be necessary from time to time. It furthermore clears the stream for the purpose of floating logs. In larger streams or rivers with a current sufficiently strong, the device is installed on anchored floats. The conducting of the generated energy to the place of consumpen can. e e eeeerliehe by eleet i 'e re lie e mean i hieh as the b e i' Pipe o u e t e may be, whi h e le the Pow fre th generaer (9 'e mrr sor). which is attached to, turbine,

the current changes frequently, lower d f h eeehor elies sh uld b i'eetene at one articulated point to the river bed. g- 6 ws a installet en' e med e'n floats. This installation may be lifted put of the water for cleaning, or for the egrecib tion of repairs. For this purpose, the turbine case 61, that is, the guidechannel, is provided with two sets ogf'floats 163, The lower ones, 63, are made large enough so that, when filled withair, the whole conu tie i k pt at the su fac of the water, with the turbine-chamber above the water line; while the smaller. upper floats 64; maintain the installation in certain position below the surface. Accordingly, if both sets of floats are filled with water, thewhole installation sinks to the bottom of the river. If the water is removed the upper set of floats, the installation rises to the working position, and, if the water is evacuated from the lower set oftloats', also, then the guide-channel and -motor-cha'mber rise completely out of the water, and only a portion of the lower float remains beneath I the surface. These operations can be .egge outed in various ways; However, will be d isa eeee n to t e nv t te make use of the folloyvil g arrangement for the purpose. The floatsof the upper set are connectedby tubes 65 withlthe lower t- A r y e p-ee k, e th ke attached to the tube at point66. The third branch 67 of this stop cock connects with the water outside. The cocks can be adjusted by means of the handle r wheel 69 which my b e e the rlatt r .8- The lower floats 63 are connected with the outlet cock 7-1 by means of, tubes 70. The outlet cock can also be adjusted from the platform 68 by means of a handle or wheel. The upper floats 64 are connected Wi hone an.- ether by h pip 3- Th extensio Piece 46 of the latteris furnished at this with the cook 74. Tube 75.,connectst'ube 7 3 with an air pump 76 ,dri tenby the turbine. Whe th a ran em is in read nes o pe a n, e th node a e elee d- New, if it is desired ,to ,raisethe arrangement ;f oi' cleaning purposes, or .for the gcuu pa s, then th (ruler .7 ie .eperatais as to force airintotheiipperfloats. ,When the Pres r i s f cie it e e n n eiea-trbeing easily calculated) then the cocks 66 must slowly be broughtinto a RQSitionwhich will connect the upper floats withthe lower fleets, and the cook 71 is opened. In this W, the ,compressedair will pass from the upper floats to the lower floats, forcing Water in the latter through tube and out through cock 71, whereupon the turbine proper rises above the ater-line and the necessary work of cleaning or repairing can be undertaken.

N ow, when the arrangement is ,once more to be submerged to its normal working position, the cooks (ifi must again be so adjusted as t oconnect the lower floats with the at mesphere. In this case, the airoasses out through the cooks; 66 and tubes 67, and water passes in through cook 71, filling the lower floats. But none can pass intothe upper ones, because of the position ofthe cocks 66. Thus, the arrangement assumes its normal working position without any further adjustment. If, on the other hand, it is desired to sink the arrangement to the bottom of the riyer, then the cooks 66 must be so adjusted as to connect the upper floats with tubes 67, and, in this way, with the water outside. The cock 74 is then opened, and the upper floats will fill with water through tubes 67, and the air in the floats will escape through buoy. l/Vhen lifting the arrangement out of water, the opposite process takes place. Air is forced intothe floats through the buoy and tube 47, and the water thus forced out of the floats escapes through tubes .67.

The centrifugal regulators (which are furnished with a suitable servo-motor) are generally used. If, used as a wind motor, the wind velocity can be used in place of the motorvelocity for regulating purposes. The following arrangement is an example of this (Fig. 7). The turbine, or the opening 130 of the Venturiutube of the turbine, is fitted with areizolvii igshutter 131 arranged to roll iipon a'cyiinder. The latteris inside a box 182, and is fitted with a spring which isarranged so that it is constantly endeavouring to roll up the revolving shutter.

Both edges of the end of .the. revolving shutter are .iiitted with screw nut-s 138, which are connected by a cheat 134. These nuts run on a screw 135 with steep threads. The chain wheels 136 which areconnected by'chain 137 are fastened with wedges to the screw spindleofthe screws, inorder to ensure the same .twist vfor both screws A wind Wheel 1338 is attached at the end. of. one or both screw .spindles, in this pass a Robinson wheel. The.ar,r an gement works as follows: When the windis normal, the wind-wheels are still, and .tlie revolving shutter is in the low gestpo sition; If the velocity of the windincreases, then the wind-wheels overcome the resistance of the springs of the revolving shutter, and, by neans of the screws which .engage the nuts 138, raise the revolving shutteruntil the constantly extending spring gradually narrowed.

reason of the wind motor.

of the shutter balances the pressure of the wind against the wind-wheels. Thus, as the wind increases, the revolving shutter rises higher and higher, and the inlet opening is In case of a strong wind, such as Would be dangerous for the turbine, the opening closes completely. Of course, it is possible to insert some wellknown retarding gear between the wind wheel 13S and the screw 135, which would permit the use of smaller wind-wheels.

Where the current direction of the medium is variable (for instance, in the case of atmospheric air-currents), devices are used which turn the turbine automatically in the direction of the current. The wind vane and the little auxiliary wind-wheel are devices of this kind, and are familiar by But an invention shown in Figs. 8 and 9 can also be used for this purpose. It is well known that the inhow section of a Venturi tube through which the fluid always passes in the same manner, often shaped like a cone with a large opening, and is, therefore, shorter than plished through a shorter tube section,

whereas, with the outfiowing portion of the medium, a certain opening angle may not be exceeded, as, otherwise, the jet of fluid will be separated from the sldes of the tube.

.Accordin to the invention this as m-. t; 7

metric execution may also at the same time be used for adjusting the device to the direction of the wind. InFigs. 8 and 9. 30 is the turbine casing, to which the shorter tube piece 31 and the longer tube piece 31 are attached. The latter rest on the circular rails, by means of the wheels 141, 142. In addition to the two outer chain wheels 5, 5, there is a third chain wheel in the lower part of the turbine. This chain wheel is fastened by means of wedges to the main axis 1&6. A. downward extension of the latter, into the turbine box, could. be made to drive the generator, and would, at the. same time, be the axis of rotation for the device running on the circular rails. Now, if the direction of the flowing liquid is changed, the device will always adjust itself so that the shorter of the funnel-shaped tubes 31 willbe turned to windward, because the funnel 31 takes the place of the vane. In'place of the circular rails, a simple axis of any other arrangement running in a circle'may be em ployed.

Fig. 11 shows a chain-guide arrangement Which makes possible the supporting of the chain not only against the forces acting with the direction of the current, but, also, those acting vertically with relation to it. This arrangement can, therefore, also be used for turbines with a vertical axis. The supporting of the chain is accomplished as follows: The journals of chain 2 are provided with forks 170. Around the journal 171 of the forks, rollers, shaped conically at both ends are revolubly attached. Y

Of course, the invention itself would oe in nowise changed should the guiderollers not be attached to every link in the chain, but, instead, for instance, only to every see ondor third link.

Various modifications, especially in detail, may be made in my invention, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention, or necessarily sacrificing any of its ad vantages.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a chain-turbine, an endless chain supported for movement in two reverselymoving parallel sections, spaced turbineblades pivotally' connected to said chain and forming two parallel rows, and means secured to said turbine-blades toward their free ends for supporting them so that the space between the blades on both chainsections is smaller at the outflow than at the inflow.

2. In a chain-turbine, an endless chain supported for movement in two reverselymoving parallel sections, spaced turbineblades pivotally connected to said chain and forming two parallel rows, a steering-chain,' and connections between said steering-chain and said turbine-blades.

3. In a chain-turbine, an endless chain supported for movement in two reversely moving parallel sections, spaced turbineblades pivotally connected to said chain and forming two parallel rows, a steering-chain of the same length as the turbine-blade carrying chain, end wheels around which said steering-chain passes, connections between said steering-chain and said turbineblades, and end-wheels around which said turbine-blade carrying chain passes and of ill) larger diameter than said first-mentioned" end wheels.

4. In a chain-turbine, an endless chain supported for movement in two reversely-' moving parallel sections, spaced turbineblades carried by said chain and forming two parallel rows, and easing plates dissaid chain-turbine being arranged in the smallest cross section of a channel which is narrowed in the middle and then broadens out like a Venturi tube.

6. In a chain-turbine, an endless chain supported for movement in two reverselymoving parallel sections, spaced turbineblades carried by said chain and forming two parallel rows, casing plates disposed over the upper and lower edges of said blades, and floats connected with said casing plates for submerging and elevating said turbine.

7. In a chain-turbine, an endless chain supported for movement in two reverselymoving parallel sections, spaced turbineblades carried by said chain and forming two parallel rows, casing plates disposed over the upper and lower edges of said blades, upper floats connected with the top casing-plate, lower floats connected with the bottom casing plate, and an air-pump driven by the chain-turbine for compressing air to force the water out of the lower floats.

8. In a. chain-turbine, an endless chain supported for movement in two reverselymoving parallel sections, spaced turbineblades carried by said chain and forming two parallel rows, said chain-turbine being arranged in the smallest cross section of a channel which is narrowed at the middle and then broadens out after the manner of a Venturi tube, and revolving shutters disposed as regulating devices in front of the inlet of said channel.

9. In a chain-turbine, an endless chain supported for movement in two reverselymoving parallel sections, spaced turbineblades carried by said chain and forming two parallel rows, said chain-turbine being arranged in the smallest cross section of a channel which is narrowed at the middle and then broadens out after the manner of a Venturi tube, revolving shutters disposed as regulating devices in front of the inlet of said channel, and automatically-actuated, wind-controlled mechanism for operating said shutters.

10. In a chain-turbine, a casing having an inlet and an outlet, an endless chain within said casing, oppositely-disposed endwheels over which said chain passes, said chain being thereby supported for movement in two reversely-moving parallel sections,

said casing being provided with oppositelydisposed longitudinally-extending wedge shaped recesses, supporting-rollers carried by said chain and having wedge shaped peripheries and movin through said recesses, and spaced turbinelades carried by said chain and forming two parallel rows.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature.

ARMIN TETETLENI. 

